PANAJI
Resumption of mining within 250 days of coming to power, 33 per cent reservation for women in private and government jobs as well as doubling of expenditure in the health and education sectors are some of the key promises made by the alliance partners Trinamool Congress and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party for the February 14 assembly polls.
The manifesto also promises to scrap the three controversial linear projects in and around Mollem, if the party comes to power.
The joint manifesto was released by leaders of both parties at a press conference addressed by top TMC leaders. At the media briefing, however, top MGP leaders like former deputy chief minister Sudin and Deepak Dhavalikar were missing, even as the regional party was represented by its working president Ptarap Fadte.
The 10-point manifesto, according to TMC national vice president Luizinho Faleiro, has been drafted with inputs from subject experts, scholars, journalists, lawyers, community leaders, social activists, civil society members, and key stakeholders in various fields.
"33 per cent reservation for Goan women in all jobs including the private sector, 50 per cent reservation for women in all local bodies, two fast-track courts (one in each district) to address crimes against women and children, and an SOS Suraksha mobile app for women’s safety," said the manifesto, which also includes other financial doles and promises made by the party like formal restoration of land ownership rights in the run-up to the elections.
The manifesto also speaks of boosting Goa's gross domestic product to Rs 1.8 lakh crore from the existing Rs 0.71 lakh crore by the creation of 2,00,000 new jobs to be created with 80 per cent reservation for Goans and 10,000 vacancies in the government sector to be filled in three years.
The manifesto also states that the alliance government would double the budgetary spending on Health and Education sectors to 2.75 per cent and 6 per cent of the budget, respectively while promising to set up two new medical colleges, upgraded facilities at government schools and a universal health card and road accident treatment cover for every Goan household.
The manifesto has also promised public transport systems and power supply functional 24x7, while also assuring pothole-free roads and piped drinking water to every household.
"Instituting environmentally sustainable mining practices (within 250 days of TMC forming the government) with an 80 per cent reservation for Goans in extraction contracts and mining jobs. Alongside, all income generated through the Goa Mineral Corporation to be utilised to fund welfare schemes in the State," the manifesto states.
"The three linear projects through Mollem to be terminated; Goa’s rights to Mhadei river waters be upheld and comprehensive waste management and garbage collection system to be incorporated with a 100% functional sewage network," it adds.
The "ten core promises", the manifesto states, were aimed at transforming the lives of every single Goan in the coastal state.
